UNESCO Survey on Special Needs Education Law 1996

CSIE summary

Introduction

In 1996 UNESCO published the results of a world-wide survey of the laws relating to special educational needs in 52 countries. The report, Legislation Pertaining to Special Needs Education , is a useful indicator of how a range of countries have approached this area of education. This free CSIE Summary focuses on the integration aspects of the report. The full list of countries is given below and shows a mixture of developed and developing nations. UNESCO said such a study was timely because of the number of important landmark developments in this field of education in recent years. These include:

"Quality New Mexico Schools: A Mission for All New Mexicans" Guidelines on Special Education Assessment Issues MEMORANDUM December 1, 2000 TO: Superintendents, Principals, Special Education Directors, and Regional Cooperative Directors FROM: Robert Pasternack, Ph.D., State Director of Special Education Cheryl Brown-Kovacic, Ph.D., State Director of Assessment and Evaluation RE: Guidance on Special Education Assessment Issues Due to the importance of the information in this memorandum, superintendents are asked to assure that all teachers receive a copy of it and that all teachers comply with the changes in testing requirements described. The State Department of Education believes and expects that all students should participate in the New Mexico assessment and accountability programs. When students receiving special education and related services are excluded from state and district accountability programs, they do not receive the benefits gained from participation, such as improved instruction, higher expectations and involvement in education reforms. The 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the New Mexico Special Education Regulations mandate that students receiving special education and related services will participate in state and district assessments in one of three ways: in a standard administration; in a non-standard administration with accommodations as defined in the student's IEP; or in an alternate assessment.

NEA Home New on the Site Learn About the NEA NEA Partnerships Publications Endowment News Explore Art Forms Federal Opportunities Search/Site Map Lessons Learned: Case Studies The Very Special Arts New Mexico Facility: Oasis in the Desert by Joanne Hoover ABSTRACT: In 1992 Very Special Arts New Mexico became the first VSA in the country to develop its own arts center. As a result, major changes occurred in organizational structure, program, personnel and finances. Strategic planning proved crucial though surprises still emerged. The facility's model program for working with the disabled through the arts became a resource for others in the field. HISTORY Started in 1981 as part of Albuquerque's Parks and Recreation Department, Very Special Arts New Mexico (VSA NM) was grounded in collaborative relationships and housed in other organizations' spaces. An affiliate of the national Very Special Arts organization, VSA NM 's purpose was, and still is, to provide arts programs and services accessible to individuals with disabilities. Initial efforts centered on an artist-in-residence program in public schools around the state, the Buen Viaje dancers housed in a community center, and an annual VSA festival in Albuquerque. Administrative offices were located in the Albuquerque Public Library. Primary funding came from government sources. As part of a city agency

4. The New Mexico State Department Of Education - School Transportation Unit "Quality new mexico schools A Mission for All new Mexicans" Primary Secondary Education Transportation School Bus Safety Standard for Providing Transportation for Eligible Students Table of Contents (2) Students with special needs are entitled to transportation who are not disabled within the most inclusive environment.http://sde.state.nm.us/div/fin/trans/regs/6.41.4nmac.html

"Quality New Mexico Schools: A Mission for All New Mexicans" TITLE 6 CHAPTER 41 Transportation - School Bus Safety PART 4 Standard for Providing Transportation for Eligible Students Table of Contents Section 641.4.1 ISSUING AGENCY6.41.4.2 SCOPE6.41.4.3 STATUTORY AUTHORITY6.41.4.4 DURATION ... Qualifications of School Activity vehicle/Bus Drivers ISSUING AGENCY : State Board of Education SCOPE: Provisions of Chapter 41, Part 4 apply to public school districts. This regulation governs local public school districts. If a local public school district choose to provide transportation services by contracting with an outside provider instead of through district employed personnel, it may do so. The local public school district, however, is responsible for ensuring that the provisions of transportation services complies with all pertinent State and Federal Regulations and Statutes and State Board of Education Regulations. STATUTORY AUTHORITY: This regulation is promulgated pursuant to Sections 22-2-1,22-2-2, 22-8-26, and 22-16-2, NMSA 1978.

5. Private Schools half of whom are developmentally disabled children York Institute for special Education,new York, NY Spanish Language School in mexico Serious about learninghttp://privateschool.about.com/msub6needs.htm

- Provides comprehensive educational services to students of California who are visually impaired, deaf/blind, and visually impaired/multi-handicapped from infancy through age 21. These services will be provided in order to empower students to lead vocationally, personally, and socially satisfying productive lives leading to their highest level of independence.

A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

ED Initiatives...

February 11, 1997

A biweekly look at progress on the Secretary's priorities

STATE OF THE UNION

1998 BUDGET

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OUS/Budget98/

GOALS 2000

TECHNOLOGY

65% of U.S. public schools had access to the Internet in fall 1996, a gain of 15 percentage points in each of the last two consecutive years.

14% of all public school "instructional rooms" (classrooms, computer or other labs, and library media centers) were connected to the Internet, representing more than a fourfold increase since fall 1994, when 3% of all instructional rooms had access to the Internet.

13% of all public schools reported that training for teachers in advanced telecommunications was mandated by the school, district, or teacher certification agencies. 31% of schools indicated that incentives were provided to encourage teachers to obtain advanced telecommunications training, while 51% of schools left it up to teachers to initiate participation in advanced telecommunications training.

http://www.ed.gov/Technology/

9. LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS at Onate High School with learning disabled students, the Towne Centre  Las Cruces,new mexico 88001  (505 though I have served special needs children inhttp://www.irlen.com/testimonial_school.htm

Experts Schools AutisticChildrenExperienceThanksWhat the schools are saying. LAS CRUCES PUBLIC SCHOOLS January 14, 1994 Mrs. Helen Irlen 5380 Village Road Long Beach, California 90808 Dear Helen, After the completion of the Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome Project at Onate High School with learning disabled students, the response from not only the parents of these students, but the Las Cruces staff was overwhelming. Referrals appeared from everywhere! Parents of elementary students called; parents of mid-school students called; staff referred themselves and their own children. It was astounding! We trained pre-screeners and the screening process was in full swing! Unable to keep up with the referral demand, four screeners processed as many as they could handle. Students using overlays reported dynamic changes in their abilities to focus on the written page. Parents phoned to say that their children were reading at home, independent of an adult for assistance. Teachers reported their observations of students' motivation to read using their overlays. We have lost one screener. The referrals take up an entire file drawer. We are working on our IDEA-B federal grant to train one individual in each school and three individuals in each secondary school. The goal is to have screeners in all buildings. The Chapter I Reading Lab teachers will also pursue training.

10. About La Vida Felicdad,Inc, school age for children with special needs was lowered to schools and the Belen Publicschools until those from the State of new mexico, disabled and Elderlyhttp://www.lavidafelicidad.org/about.html

About La Vida Felicidad, Inc. Mission Statement: The mission of La Vida Felicidad, Inc. is life quality for individuals and families with special needs through individualized family services that promote full participation in the community, independence, and well-being. La Vida Felicidad, Inc. was organized in 1983 with special funding (Department of Health) by the state legislature to provide early intervention services to children in Valencia County ages birth through 5 years with special needs. After the public school age for children with special needs was lowered to include 3 and 4 year old children, La Vida Felicidad, Inc. contracted for several years with the Los Lunas Public Schools and the Belen Public Schools until those school systems were ready to assume complete responsibility for such services. In 1990, the Department of Health requested La Vida Felicidad, Inc. to begin the provision of early intervention services to children, birth through three years old with/at risk for disabilities residing in Socorro County. With La Vida Felicidad, Inc.'s Board of Director's approval, such services began. In January 1992, La Vida Felicidad, Inc. initiated respite services for both counties through an expansion grant with the Department of Health. Respite is short term care of a family member of any age having a developmental disability.

11. KinderStart - Child Development : Special Needs Child Child Development special needs Child schools/Organizations new Hampshire. schools/Organizations new Jersey. schools/Organizations new mexico. schools/Organizations new Yorkhttp://www.kinderstart.com/childdevelopment/specialneedschild

A.D.D. Consults offers psychoeducational services to individuals, families and professionals via private e-mail. For those who live in areas where information on Attention Deficit Disorder may be scarce. Add/View CommentsRate this Site

Sensory Integration Dysfunction-This paper will explain sensory integration dysfunction to the point of understanding the nature of this unseen (and often misdiagnosed) disability, as well as its psychological, emotional, learning and social effects on the individual. Add/View CommentsRate this Site

Abilitations is the industries leading children's therapy and special needs catalog with product mix including movement, special education, sensory integration, adapted play and more. Add/View CommentsRate this Site

Ability OnLine is a friendly and safe computer friendship network where children and youth with disabilities or chronic illnesses connect to each other as well as to their friends, family members, caregivers and supporters.

AboutFace is a non-profit international organization dedicated to providing information, emotional support, and educational programs to individuals who have a facial disfigurement, and to their families. Add/View CommentsRate this Site

Afasic is the UK charity representing children and young adults with communication impairments, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers. Add/View CommentsRate this Site

A non-profit organization, is to identify, understand and care for individuals disabled by prenatal alcohol exposure and their families, and to prevent future generations from having to live with this disability.

14. New Mexico State Agency On Aging - Volunteer advice on how senior and disabled new Mexicans might in the lives of the elderlyand disabled. oneto-one, daily attention to children with special needs.http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/volunteer.html

Volunteer!

Whether you're a senior, or a senior-to-be, nothing feels quite as good as helping someone else. The State Agency on Aging offers several volunteer opportunities that will help you scratch that do-gooder itch. Health Insurance Benefits and Assistance Corps Offer important advice on how a senior citizen or person with disabilities might receive help paying for medical care, food or utilities. Long-term Care Ombudsman Speak up for the residents of long-term care facilities. Senior Companions Provide assistance and friendship to older seniors who have difficulty with daily life skills. Foster Grandparents Give one-to-one, daily attention to children with special needs. Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Use your experience by supporting government and non-profit agencies. Join the Health Insurance Benefits and Assistance Corps Volunteers with the State Agency on Aging's Health Insurance Benefits and Assistance Corps (HIBAC) provide important advice on how senior and disabled New Mexicans might receive help paying for medical care, food or electricity. The information is presented around the state by phone, through senior centers and direct door-to-door outreach. Volunteers are trained through an intensive, two-day program on Medicare health plan choices, Medicaid, Supplemental Insurance and all public entitlement programs to be able to respond to the same sort of questions the HIBAC staff answers. With the training complete, volunteers each work two to three hours a week answering a hotline, at senior centers or by traveling to people's homes.

Jack and the Giant School - by Stacy Mitchell, The New Rules , Summer 2000. Higher graduation rates, less violence, a sense of belonging instead of alienation: the case for small schools is supported by mountains of evidence and a growing number of innovative models. National Center for Education StatisticsThe Education TrustEducation Week has a section School Finance Issues New Mexico's school funding formula has long been considered one of the most equalized in the nation. A state will tend to have more equalized funding when several conditions apply: a) the state takes on a larger share of the funding (as opposed to when individual school districts raise the majority of funds through property taxes); b) states target their funding to poorer districts, and; c) states take into account regional differences in the cost of education (for instance, it is more expensive to educate a child in New York City than in Plattsburgh.) Until 1997, the state of New Mexico contributed about 74 percent of school funds. In 1997 the legislature passed a revised school funding formula (S.B. 100), increasing the share of funds to around 84 percent and targeting more of these funds to at-risk students. Money raised in individual school districts may go towards construction and maintenance, but not for school operating costs. More:

16. THE ALBUQUERQUE MUSEUM EDUCATION DIVISION ACCOMMODATIONS FOR disabled VISITORS. TTY users may call new mexico Relay at 1800-659-8331. Groups with special needs are welcome to book tours at Thehttp://www.cabq.gov/museum/education/education.html

The Albuquerque Museum

Education Division

Contact: Chris Steiner , Curator of Education GOALS The Museum seeks to enrich knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of its collections and the variety of cultures and ideas they represent. Learning opportunities are offered

to enhance self-directed and informal learning experiences for all museum visitors.

to develop pioneering and innovative programming developed specifically for community needs.

to provide a variety of formal educational programs for the public such as tours, lectures, symposia, performances, demonstrations, school outreach programs, art classes, workshops, and special projects. The Museum engages in active, ongoing collaborative efforts with a wide range of organizations and individuals who can contribute to the expansion of the museum's public dimension.

WORLD WIDE DISABILITIES ON-LINE RESOURCE CENTERS for NEBRASKANEVADANEW HAMPSHIRENEW JERSEY ... NORWAY TRANSLATE 2001 CALENDAR EVENTS NEBRASKA EVENT: VENUE: CONTACT: SPECIAL NEEDS SUMMER CAMP July 17-21,2001 (ages 5-12) FEE:$60pc Camp Hot Shots Day camp. Camp Hot Shots provides a FUN, safe and education environment for kids with diabetes. Platte River State Park, Nebraska Camp is located approximately 20 miles from Omaha and 30 miles from Lincoln. CONTACT: Cory Harter PH: 402-496-5107 DAILY ON-LINE SUPPORT GROUPS Join DOL911 24/7 ON-LINE SUPPORT GROUPS Get the support you need, now! DOL911: DISABILITY DICTIONARY COMMING SOON DOL911: ON-LINE DISABILITY WORKSHOPS with featured specialists and DOL911: LIVE WORKSHOP CHATS DON'T MISS OUT! Join DOL911: FREE Membership Be informed! Knowledge is power! NEVADA EVENT: VENUE: CONTACT: May 7-10,2001 COST: National Institute Conference: "On Legal Issues of Educating Disabled Individuals The National Institute, now in its 22nd year, has a well-deserved reputation for high quality. And this year is no exception. The program for the 22nd Institute will again be a comprehensive mix of general sessions, intensive workshops and informative seminars. All sessions will be at an advanced level and will seek to achieve new insights and to provoke thoughtful discussion. Paris Hotel Las Vegas,Nevada

18. A School Zone - Special Education Page Tons Of Links. of Resources for Parents of disabled Children. Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota,new mexico, North Carolina special needs and special Gifts Site with pageshttp://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/6097/special.html

From the creators of Big Brother Dustin Dustin'sBig School Day Join your friend Dustin on a new adventure Home PageBooks PageInformationPage ... The StoreIn Association with Amazon.com Can you guess who's coming? Today is the day Dave and Skippy are coming to Dustin's schooland that makes it the the biggest day ever! Join Dustin and his friends in Grant School's regular and special-education classes as they get ready to welcome their unusual guests. Dustin's Big School Day is another collaboration by writer Alden R. Carter and photographers Dan Young and Carol Carter for and about children with special needs. Big Brother Dustin , their 1997 book featuring Dustin, won wide acclaim, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal, a Sesame Street Parents Reviewer's Choice, a Children's Cooperative Book Center Choice, and a Wisconsin Library Association Outstanding Achievement Award. Recommended in Parenting Magazine Recommended in L.A. Parent Magazine Recommended by the National Association for Down Syndrome Recommended by The Journal of Bibliotherapy and Reading Recommended by the Southwest Wisconsin Library System Special Needs Department "In Dustin we found what is best in all of us: kindness, generosity, gentleness, humor, enthusiasm, and joy. For us, he is proof that including 'special' children in the regular classroom benefits the education of all children."